Restless Dynamic Earth

The Pink Palace Museum has been a source of earthquake knowledge for years.  A drum seismograph was on display for over 25 years and still going strong until recent construction in the area disrupted our radio connection with the University of Memphis earthquake center.  While upgrading the seismograph with the help of the University, we also took the opportunity to upgrade our entire “Restless Dynamic Earth” exhibit with new graphics and updated information as well.   

"Restless Dynamic Earth" is located in the Geology section of the Natural History Exhibits.  Click here! for an interactive map of the Pink Palace Museum.

The display entrance wall has an overview of the 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes that changed the position of the Mississippi River.  It contains a report from 1904 that was the first scientific paper on the massive earthquake as well as the first photos of the destruction.  There are separate label panels in the exhibit--innovative designs tell the story of the geological history of the Mid-South. 

Memphis lies within the most active earthquake East of the Mississippi River- the New Madrid Seismic Zone.  As such, Memphis is at the center of scientific research on earthquakes.  The Pink Palace Museum, along with the University of Memphis, is part of that research.  Thanks to the University of Memphis Center for Earthquake Research and Information and the U.S. Geological Survey's Advanced National Seismic System, the Pink Palace has a new digital seismograph that registers almost any earthquake in the world with a magnitude of 6.5 or greater.  The 7.0 earthquake in Indonesia on 9/2/2009 was clearly seen on our digital seismograph.  See an image of the recording in the photo tour above. 

Other new screens show an animated display of every earthquake from 1960 through the present and live earthquakes in the central United States.    

Click here! for recent earthquakes in the Central United States. 

The Pink Palace Museum contains the history of the Mid-South.  That history, told in a new way, also gives a peek into the future of the region.  Now with the new Earthquake display and real-time seismograph, the Pink Palace also gives you a look inside the entire world.